How to install ceiling LED downlights

LED downlights are the perfect solution for contemporary interiors within both homes and businesses. However, to achieve a safe and effective result, it is important to ensure they are installed correctly.

What will you need?

Before you begin installing your LED downlights, you should ensure you have the correct tools required. The tools needed are minimal and it is likely that you will already have many of them within your toolbox, such as:

• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Saw
• Hand drill
• Hole saw
• Screwdriver

How to install LED downlights in a ceiling

Step 1: Isolate the electrical circuit

To prevent any accidents, you should isolate the electrical circuit before starting work.

Step 2: Mark out the light positions

Using a tape measure and pencil, decide where the lights will be positioned and mark these points on the ceiling, without disrupting any ceiling joists or wires.

A quick way to check easily is to drill a small pilot hole, which should give you just enough space to feed a wire through to check for any issues. The wire should be bent at a 90-degree angle so that you can turn it a complete turn to check for disruptions. Once you know the position of a couple of joists, you will be able to predict their locations, as they are usually evenly spaced.

The mark for the hole should be the same size as the downlighter, with measurements provided within your chosen downlight’s instruction manual. Typically, domestic LED downlights will need a hole of 80mm, although this can vary between anything from 30mm to 200mm.

Step 3: Cut out the downlighter holes

A hole saw is a drill bit which you can use to cut a perfect hole to the exact size you require. It is important to take care when cutting to ensure that no close wires or cables are cut accidentally within the ceiling void space.

Step 4: Feed the wiring through the holes

Downlighters are wired using radial circuits, which basically means they run in a line from the switch to each light in turn, until you reach the end of the line.

Feed the wiring through the various ceiling holes and use a Chocbox to connect the wiring to the connector strip. The finished circuit should result in all lights having two wires connecting them to the Chocbox, apart from the final light which acts as the end of the circuit with a single wire. Screw the connector cover of the Chocbox closed and put it through the final ceiling hole.

Step 5: Fix the downlights into place

The two lugs on the downlights should be pushed in with the LED then pushed upwards into the hole. The downlight features springs which are designed to hold them in place within the ceiling. Simply hold these springs back against the sides of the LED when you push it into the hole, where they will then spring back and lay flat.

Factors to consider when installing LED ceiling downlights

When installing LED ceiling downlights, there are a number of factors to consider beforehand.

To learn more about LED ceiling downlights, read our LED ceiling downlights guide here.

1. The number of downlights needed

The number of downlights required will largely depend on both personal preference. For example, if you are installing LED downlights in a kitchen, you may decide to situate LED lights above the work surfaces and within the main room area.

In general, the lights should begin no further than 600mm from the edge of the room to avoid shadows, with intervals of between 1200 and 1500mm.

2. Whether electrical work needs to be undertaken by a professional electrician

Any work involving electrics can be hazardous so, if you’re not competent with electrical work, it is always advisable to hire a qualified electrician. However, installing LED downlights is relatively straightforward and there are clear steps which can be followed by those who are confident enough to give it a go.

3. Fire-rated or non-fire rated LED downlights

A solid ceiling provides an important barrier to fire. However, the holes required for downlights reduce the effectiveness of this barrier. To combat this issue, fire-rated LED downlights are available which protect you from potential fires and ensure compliance with Building Regulations. In comparison to non-fire rated LED downlights, fire-rated LED downlights will offer up to 90 minutes of protection from the spread of fire into the ceiling or loft space by sealing any gaps.

4. Are the downlights being installed with loft insulation?

In comparison to a halogen bulb, LED lighting runs at much cooler temperatures. However, there are some factors to consider when it comes to loft insulation. When you cut holes in your ceiling for downlights, this creates a chimney effect with warm air pulled into the space above the ceiling, making your home harder to hear.

To ensure an airtight seal once the LEDs are installed, you will need to use a downlight cover.

In addition, if your LEDs are not fire rated, they can't be covered directly by any loft insulation. According to Building Regulations, loft insulation should be continuous to ensure the required thermal benefits are achieved. This means that a fire-retardant cover will be needed above each recessed LED downlight.

5. IP rating

This is a factor which is especially important in bathrooms and kitchens, as water and electricity cannot mix. An IP-rated LED downlight will cost slightly more, but they are much safer and there are no risks of electrocution, short-circuiting or fire.

6. Are you replacing existing spotlights or downlights or are they a new lighting solution?

If there are already holes in place for existing lights, the size, quality, and positioning are likely to impact the type of LED downlights you choose. For example, to minimise the installation time required, you may decide to choose LED lights which match the size of the existing holes. In addition, if you are replacing older Halogen downlights which often require a transformer, you will find that there are a variety of LED options available which provide the light intensity you need.

If you’d like more information on how to install ceiling LED downlights or choosing the right lighting for your home, please contact our expert team today.